Premier League Game week 4 Match Predictions: Will Manchester City Continue Their Dominance?

The first 3 weeks of premier League gameplay have offered exciting matchups and a chance to see teams’ new summer signings in action for the first time with their new club. Around this time in the season, we start to get an idea of how teams will perform going forward, and which teams will be fighting for spots in European competitions as well as who will be fighting for relegation. Ahead are my predictions for each match as well as my updated power rankings for all 20 Premier League teams.

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Predictions Last Week: 6-4

Predictions (Season): 11-8

Luton Town vs West Ham

Location: Kenilworth Road

This matchup will feature the 2nd and 19th teams facing each other in what should be an obvious matchup to predict. However, this is Luton Town’s first match at home at Kenilworth Road, which could prove difficult for many Premier League teams to adjust to. The stadium is small and fans are very close to the pitch, creating a great home atmosphere. Luton also keeps the pitch in poor condition, which could prove difficult for teams used to playing in perfect conditions. However, Luton’s signature counter attacking style has not translated well to Premier League competition so far, as their defense is outmatched by the world class forwards they face, and West Ham has been in unbelievable form the last 2 matches. I think they will keep this good form going against Luton.

My Prediction: Luton Town 1 – 3 West Ham

Player to Watch: Carlton Morris

If Luton does want to get points out of this matchup, it will be down to striker Carlton Morris to generate attacking play for Luton on counterattacks. Morris has scored Luton’s sole goal of the season in Gameweek 1 and scored 20 of Luton Town’s 57 goals in the Championship last season. Morris needs to find the back of the net again against West Ham if Luton wants a chance of points.

Sheffield United vs Everton

Location: Bramall Lane

This matchup features 2 teams who have struggled to find their form during the first 3 weeks, and this matchup gives each team a chance to find their form. Sheffield United has scored 2 goals in their first 3 games, losing every game by 1 goals, while Everton has yet to score and has lost their first 3 games by an average of 2 goals. Sheffield’s better attacking results so far as well as their home field advantage make me think Sheffield will come out on top and get their first 3 points this season.

My Prediction: Sheffield United 1 – 0 Everton

Player to Watch: Anel Ahmedhodzic

Although he hasn’t scored in Sheffield’s first 3 matches, Ahmedhodzic leads Sheffield in both expected goals and expected goals per 90 minutes. I think Ahmedhodzic will score his first goal of the season this week against Everton.

Brentford vs Bournemouth

Location: Gtech Community Stadium

In this match, a Brentford side in good form has a home match against a struggling Bournemouth side who have lost their last 2 matches. Bournemouth have been a little better than their single point suggests, and Brentford had a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace last week after a win against Fulham in week 2 and a draw against Tottenham in week 1. However, I think Brentford will regain their good starting form against Bournemouth this week and claim 3 points at home.

My Prediction: Brentford 3 – 1 Bournemouth

Player to Watch: Mathias Jensen

Mathias Jensen has been Brentford’s most successful playmaker this season, but he has still not recorded a single assist this season. Jensen leads Brentford in chances created, expected assists, accurate long balls per 90, and successful tackles for 90 and has been a commanding force in the Brentford midfield. I think he will find his first 2 goal involvements of the season against Bournemouth.

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Burnley vs Tottenham

Location: Turf Moor

In this matchup, a Tottenham side who has had amazing form through their first matches thanks to their successful midfield rebuild faces a newly promoted Burnley side who have lost their first 2 matches. Burnley had a dominant season in the Championship last season but have not been able to carry that momentum into their first string of matches so far this season. I don’t expect a change in this form against Tottenham this week, who have looked dominant so far this season thanks to tactic changes from new manager Ange Postecoglou. I think Tottenham will continue their winning streak in this match.

My Prediction: Burnley 0 – 3 Tottenham

Player to Watch: James Maddison

This should be no surprise, as James Maddison leads Tottenham in nearly every attacking-based stat this season, including goal involvements, expected goals, expected assists, and big chances created. I think his dominance will continue against Burnley with 2 goal involvements.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Location: Stamford Bridge

Both teams in this matchup find themselves in mid table positions after 3 matches, with Chelsea’s only win coming against Luton Town, and Nottingham’s only win coming against Sheffield United. Nottingham Forest led 2-0 against Manchester United last week before ultimately losing 3-2. However, this embarrassing defensive breakdown should not overshadow their remarkable counter attacking play in the opening of the match against Manchester United. Nottingham scored 2 goals in the first 5 minutes, but their attacking play quickly slowed to a halt. Chelsea had a 3-0 win against Luton last week, and I think their defense will be able to hold this dynamic Nottingham attack better than Manchester United, who have been disappointing defensively thus far.

My Prediction: Chelsea 2 – 0 Nottingham Forest

Player to Watch: Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson scored his first goal of the season against Luton last week despite leading Chelsea in expected goal involvements and shots per 90. Jackson is even tied for 4th in the entire Premier League in expected goals, so I think his production will increase in the coming weeks, starting with a goal against Nottingham.

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Manchester City vs Fulham

Location: Etihad Stadium

Manchester City have had a commanding start to their season and are currently the only team remaining who have won every match. However, after a close campaign against Sheffield United last week, in which a last minute goal from midfielder Rodri was needed to take the lead in the last minutes of the game, I am not too confident in their ability to beat the stronger teams in the Premier League. However, they are facing a Fulham side who lost 3-0 to Brentford in week 2. I think Man City will keep their winning streak alive for at least one more week.

My Prediction: Manchester City 3 – 2 Fulham

Player to Watch: Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez is second in expected goals for Manchester City behind Erling Haaland and had a lot of involvement in set pieces last week against Sheffield. I expect him to find the back of the net against Fulham this week.

Brighton vs Newcastle

Location: Amex Stadium

Brighton got off to an incredibly hot start this season with 4-1 victories over both Luton Town and Wolves. This high attacking output came from their ability to bait a high press and make precise passes to break through into the opponents’ defense. However, in their match against West Ham last week, West Ham simply refused to use a high press and rarely challenged Brighton players outside of the final third. This strategy foiled Brighton’s attack, and they lost 3-1. Now Brighton faces one of the best defenses in the Premier League, and I think if Newcastle model West Ham’s tactics from last week, I don’t see a different result.

My Prediction: Brighton 1 – 2 Newcastle

Player to Watch: Kieran Trippier

Many fullbacks in the Premier League play an advanced position in their team’s attacks, but few can attack and defend as well as Trippier. Trippier leads Newcastle with 9 chances created in 3 matches and also leads the team in interceptions. I expect Trippier to play a huge attacking and defending role against Brighton.

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Crystal Palace vs Wolves

Location: Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace has been a part of 3 close, low-scoring encounters in their first 3 matches. Their defense has been their stronger side thus far, only conceding 2 goals and scoring 2 of their own. Wolves looked very impressive in their first match against heavy favorites Manchester United and generated large attacks, which all proved unsuccessful. Manchester United scored 1 goal late in the game and capitalized a win off of Wolves’ inability to finish. Wolves have created 6 big chances this season and missed every single one. They also have struggled with discipline, having accumulated 10 yellow cards in their first 3 matches. I think Crystal Palace can capitalize off these set pieces and earn 3 points in this matchup.

My Prediction: Crystal Palace 2 – 0 Wolves

Player to Watch: Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze has had a disappointing start to his season, failing to score or assist on a goal in his first 3 matches. Eze leads Crystal Palace with 5.3 shots per 90, but fails to put these shots on target, with only 12.5% of his shots being on goal so far. I think he will find form again against Wolves and score both goals for Crystal Palace.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Location: Anfield

Liverpool faced Newcastle last week, and trailed 1-0 most of the match. This was until the 77th minute, when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp subbed out Alexis MacAllister and sent on Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker made an instant impact, scoring in the 81st minute. Nunez followed this equalizer with the winning goal in stoppage time. This performance from Nunez means he has scored 2 goals in only 41 minutes this season. If Jurgen Klopp starts Darwin Nunez in this game I think Liverpool has a much higher chance of winning. However, Aston Villa have mixed results so far this season but have won their last 2 matches.

My Prediction: Liverpool 2 – 2 Aston Villa

Player to Watch: Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins has 2 assists in his first 3 league matches this season for Aston Villa but is yet to score. He is second on the team with 1.6 expected goals, but he has missed 4 big chances. I believe Watkins will improve his efficiency and score this week against Liverpool.

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Arsenal vs Manchester United

Location: Emirates Stadium

Arsenal and Manchester United are two clubs who had very active summer transfer windows, bringing in new talents. However, some of these talents have not had instant success like these clubs were hoping, dragging down the teams’ early performances. Arsenal most recently drew 2-2 against Fulham, while Manchester United lost 2-0 to Tottenham in week 2. However, Manchester United has escaped with 2 close wins over Nottingham Forest and Wolves. I don’t think United will be able to claim any points from this matchup.

My Prediction: Arsenal 2 – 0 Manchester United

Player to Watch: Bukayo Saka

Saka has dominated in Arsenal’s attack this season, claiming 2 goals in their first 3 matches. I don’t see this changing this week, as Saka leads Arsenal in expected goals, expected assists, and chances created. His importance to Arsenal’s attack cannot be understated, and I think he will score again this week against Manchester United.

Power Rankings

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